NCT or NHS??

[charjo]

Hello! We are due on 27th August and we have been looking into antenatal classes in Tooting, the NCT ones appear to be pretty pricey but good in terms of socialising, are they worth doing alongside NHS antenatal? Or is NHS enough? Can anyone let us know their experiences of antenatal classes in St Georges hospital and NCT around Tooting area? Thanks!!

I can't help specifically with the local area but you might want to think about what you want to get out of a course; a social network; skills for labour & birth; opportunity to consider aspects of becoming a family. Take a look at the 2 different types of NCT courses; Signature (the traditional course where you get to help set the agenda for the course) and Essentials (often shorter, therefore a bit cheaper, the course has a set syllabus but still taught by an NCT trained teacher). Of course you may want to consider if you want to learn skills for birth such as breathing and relaxation eg using Natal Hypnotherapy. Finally NCT also run Yoga for Pregnancy and Relax Stretch & Breathe classes in some areas which can give you a good support network and also skills for relaxation. You may want to ask the local hospital what is included in their antenatal classes. I teach NCT Signature courses and Natal Hypnotherapy but not in your area. Hope this helps with decision making.

Have you considered Lazy Daisy antenatal classes - you can google and see if they run in your area :)

Hmm, bit of a plug but if you want more info on what the Tooting NCT classes are like v the local NHS ones, come over and ask on the Wandsworth local site www.mumsnet.com/local/wandsworth. Should get answers from people who have done them.